Chapter 313: Liu Yifei: Shameless Washing Machine!

When A-Fei drove the Cadillac DTS away at high speed, it was just past midnight back home.

Countless netizens were still lingering, staying up all night to discuss the romantic affairs of "certain people."

But just as Qi Heng described it.

This tangled, messy, and inseparable romance between Liu and Lu truly had tens of millions of people watching.

A terrifying, interrogation-style television interview had just concluded; domestic viewers had been glued to their screens the entire time, wishing they could strangle the delayed text-and-image updates.

Snow began with leading questions, and little Liu pretended to be ignorant to draw out the topic.

Netizens thought she was really going to file a complaint in court, break up with the Washing Machine out of love-turned-hate, and the Fairy fans were preparing to launch a crusade on Lu’s blog...

Suddenly!

The young girl played the "pig eating the tiger," seizing the initiative to clarify the facts and point out the theme directly.

That deafening, profound speech, the rebuke filled with a sense of justice, and that final "I do not allow it..."

It was simply the ultimate "Fairy Attack"!

At this point, even the slowest netizens reacted in an instant.

What court complaint? This was a courtroom recantation! This was a charge for love!

Even though the audience was still being kept in the dark, they were excitedly guessing at some inside information destined never to be made public.

But wasn't this plot better than any of this year's crappy New Year movies?

What "If Love"?

There are no "ifs," this is love!

What "The Promise"?

Isn't the Fairy Attack much more intense than any "City" or "Full God"?

What "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles"?

Liu Yifei is riding alone for thousands of miles to keep an appointment!

What "Tangshan Earthquake"?

Hmm... the earthquake is indeed okay, but you, this Washing Machine, are really too much of a jerk!

What is quite ironic is that when the scandal first sparked a massive debate, the back-and-forth between Liu, Lu, and the passersby fans turned completely one-sided this time.

Just like the sentiment expressed when Leader Liu laughed in spite of himself, this kid really has good luck.

Netizens turned their guns and angrily scolded: What virtue or ability do you, Washing Machine, have?

Of course, besides Liu Yifei's fans, there was no shortage of passersby and haters of other actresses kicking her while she was down, accusing her of malicious hype and even having a history of seducing big directors.

Their reasons were also quite sufficient; just as Snow stated when he cornered her on the show, the facts at the birthday banquet were undeniable.

Since he didn't coerce you, then you must have offered yourself voluntarily, right?

Shameful! Green tea! And still putting on the facade of a Fairy Sister, a pure jade maiden—who are you showing that to?

However, not long after such rhetoric appeared, another twist occurred on the scene.

The live text coverage had just ended, and viewers who weren't satisfied with this "Manhattan Trial" happily discovered an Easter egg from war correspondent Zhuo Wei!

What?

The richest man in the mainland personally entered the fray, admitting in front of authoritative media like American television and radio that he was pursuing Liu Yifei?

Good heavens, you two really took your romance to the international stage.

Are you filming a movie? Writing a novel?

Coupled with the blog post from Qi Heng, a reporter from the North American branch of Xinhua News Agency, in this instant, the fans and moviegoers of Liu and Lu united and began a fierce counterattack against the haters.

This pair is a talented man and a beautiful woman; is it your turn, you monsters, to object?

Just like little Liu, who cleared away rumors and toxic influences during the live TV broadcast, they spontaneously launched a "clean web" campaign within the domestic entertainment circle.

Perhaps neither group would want to mention that just a few dozen minutes ago, or even two days ago, they were fighting each other to the death...

Even during the holiday, entertainment reporters had no time to rest; the domestic internet would likely be flooded with this "Manhattan Trial" for a long time.

At offline gatherings and dinners, how could they avoid discussing such a topic that was enough to accompany a meal?

Today is New Year's Eve! This year's holiday depends on this gossip to get by!

[Washing Machine personally admits to pursuing the number one little flower of the domestic entertainment circle]

[Is it love-turned-hate, or hate-turned-love?]

[The silver makeup knife she inserted into her own heart was healed by the Washing Machine before it could bleed profusely.]

[The 24-year-old Chinese richest man and his prospective girlfriend]

[Intricate and complex: Is the public admission of love a PR tactic or an emotional equivalent?]

Of course, just like the speculation caused by the fact that "731" could never be released in the later years of 2024.

There was no shortage of netizens who saw the stench from Japan hidden under the "grass snake and gray line."

Especially that sentence little Liu mentioned at the Fox Media Center—

"Just because he wanted to film some movies that set history straight, just because he inadvertently infringed upon someone else's interests!"

Combined with the previously announced massacre movie by Wenjie, it truly made people's imaginations run wild.

Regardless, little Liu entered the fray, not hesitating to smear herself to protect Lu Kuan.

The latter also had a tacit understanding and made arrangements for the aftermath in advance, which could be considered a narrow escape, just waiting for the subsequent public opinion repair work.

In Boss Lu's heart, besides Lu Tianmin and his son who were already in a dead end, Deng Wendi had also naturally become a "flower of evil" that had to be cut away, and he was about to start placing his pieces and laying out his strategy.

Putting the noise of the outside world aside, A-Fei drove to Douglaston, on the border between northern Queens and Long Island.

This 2006 Spring Festival was clearly going to be spent here temporarily.

The house was regularly cleaned by a managed property service, and Liu Xiaoli called the staff over, looking preoccupied.

Just as she wanted to say something to her daughter, she saw her expressionlessly retort to the young director: "I have something to tell you."

The two walked along the small path in the villa area toward the nearby green space.

During the 2003 Spring Festival, having just returned from the Sundance Film Festival, they were also walking aimlessly like this.

Standing still under the warm afternoon sun, little Liu tilted her head and asked him: "What was your mood before today?"

Boss Lu laughed: "What mood?"

Liu Yifei's expression was somewhat desolate: "You are so suspicious, you must have thought I was going to do something against you, right?"

"Because I wouldn't sell Twitter to you, because we parted on bad terms after the birthday, because I couldn't protect myself without betraying you."

"Before today, you must have thought of me like that, right?"

"No."

Boss Lu thought to himself that she really thought he had Machiavellian personality traits—extreme suspicion and selfishness.

"Really?" There was a hint of joy in little Liu's tone; this was the recognition she desperately needed on a spiritual level after giving everything.

The young director didn't joke this time: "The black man who interviewed me just now is from ABC, a subsidiary of Disney. Do you think he had nothing better to do than come and listen to me announce that I'm pursuing you?"

"Also, the domestic blog network provided live text coverage of your conversation at the Fox Media Center the whole time."

"If I had doubted you, would I have done that? You know whose blog network it is."

A trace of sweetness welled up in the young girl's heart; this kind of tacit trust was, to her, no different from the dew that brings the dead back to life.

Thinking of the experience in the studio just now, it really felt like she had already died once.

Mentioning the sensitive word "pursuing," the female party, who had been somewhat stunned on the scene earlier, spoke with a somewhat unfriendly tone: "Just now you said... pursuing."

"I know you are protecting me, and I also know that what I am saying now is a bit pretentious."

"But I don't want you to use these things to trade or appease..."

She had just gathered her courage, but seemed to lose steam on this topic again, stammering and unable to continue.

This was an extremely contradictory state of mind resulting from psychological self-protection after suffering a catastrophic emotional injury a few months ago.

There was a very proud side to Liu Yifei's personality, which stemmed from her background, family, and upbringing.

But regarding this relationship, her sacrifice after one heroic charge made her become reactive.

She still longed to protect the purity of this relationship, just like everything she did for him in the studio without hesitation.

Therefore, little Liu did not want the word "pursuing" from his mouth to become the price and transaction for her willing sacrifice; that would undoubtedly be a pearl covered in dust.

The emotional world of an eighteen-year-old girl is just that simple and complex, without so much filth and weighing of pros and cons.

She detested charity, pity, and transactions regarding feelings; to her, that would be less painful than being completely hurt and rejected.

Boss Lu watched her voice gradually fade to a whisper with a desolate look on her face, and he didn't dare to rashly bring up the past that would tear open the bloody wounds again.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward, as cold as the biting wind of wind, frost, swords, and spears.

Boss Lu suddenly said with a serious face: "Who said that was a transaction, appeasement, or crisis PR?"

Little Liu looked up abruptly, having a moment of infatuation, then curled her lips in disdain.

It had only been half a year since her birthday; if he really had the heart, the story should have been rewritten long ago.

"I'm not going to nag you anymore, I'm going home."

The young director laughed in spite of himself, and suddenly, as if remembering something, he took a car key out of his suit pocket.

"Look, the flowers were bought, and the car was shipped from home again. It couldn't have been shipped yesterday and arrived today, right?"

"You can't call this a transaction now, can you?"

Liu Yifei looked at the black hard-shell mechanical key in his palm with suspicion, instantly understanding what it was—wasn't it the "leftovers" from the birthday banquet?

Who cares!

Huh!

She picked up a folded note from the ground; it seemed to have fallen out when Boss Lu took it out of his pocket in a hurry.

A sexy red lip print and a string of numbers—this mouth is quite big, and this number is also quite long.

It seemed one could still smell the pungent perfume of Western women.

Liu Yifei held the note in her hand, looking at the young director with a face full of mockery; is this what you call pursuit?

The young girl bit her silver teeth tightly, secretly swearing in her heart.

If this dog across from her tried to deceive her with mere words again, she would absolutely make him know what it meant for Mulan to be enraged, with blood splashing five steps away.

Boss Lu felt a sense of "what the hell" in his heart; a huge misunderstanding.

Fearing the sudden silence of the air most, he spoke up to probe: "What if I said that at 8:30 this morning, at the Caffereggio cafe near your studio, I had a few drinks with Disney CEO Iger and Harvey?"

"And these few drinks were served by a Mexican waitress at the Caffereggio cafe..."

Shock!

Before Boss Lu could finish his sentence, a petite fist poked straight toward him.

Fortunately, he was already a man who had been wounded before, so he dodged with incomparable speed and directly clamped down on little Liu tightly from behind.

The young girl weighed only about 100 jin, and there was a difference of nearly 30 kilograms in their tonnage; she didn't have the heart to use a heavy hand, so for a moment, she found it difficult to break free from the scoundrel's restraint.

"Listen to me finish!"

"You've lived in the United States, haven't you? Women here are just that unrestrained; wouldn't it hurt her self-esteem if I threw it away in front of her?"

Liu Yifei didn't take his bait: "What does that have to do with me? You can do whatever you want, why come and lie to me?"

"Let go quickly! If we get photographed again, I won't be so soft-hearted next time; I'll send you straight inside!"

Little Liu from two years ago was a "year-end pig," and Boss Lu could still restrain her by relying on his advantage as a strong man.

Now, little Liu has evolved into a wild boar; if she really tried to break free with all her might, the young director felt he would also end up suffering mutual destruction.

"Then don't lose your temper and walk away; I still have things to tell you."

"Hmm."

Liu Yifei responded in a muffled voice, then immediately gave him a fierce glare.

The young girl hadn't actually misunderstood anything; she knew he wasn't absurd to that extent, and was just making a mountain out of a molehill.

When she didn't see him, it seemed that life and her mind were filled with him everywhere.

Seeing him, she suddenly felt his behavior was detestable, and she wished she could beat him up with a flurry of punches!

In psychology, there is a secure attachment theory; when dealing with people who are deeply close to one's heart, it is usually difficult for people to control their temper.

She could let down her defenses and show negative emotions without restraint, without worrying about psychological boundaries and self-exposure.

Just like being slandered by Song Dazui and others in 2004, the life-and-death choice in the studio today seemed to have quietly vanished into thin air during her interactions and dealings with him.

Because she had a full sense of security, knowing that Lu Kuan could handle everything afterward.

Just as Lu Kuan could safely entrust his back to her, she had never worried that she would be discarded as a pawn.

Of course, emotionally, it was another matter.

The healing time since the last heartbreak was still too short, and she dared not rashly make any active probes or pursuits again.

If there were another disharmonious ending, this life would be completely devoid of fate.

Actually, who else but her was being so cautious?

The two walked back all the way.

As Liu Yifei described in her diary, Boss Lu, who was indeed somewhat "love-incapable," didn't know how to comfort her either, so he simply turned to his most proficient field.

"Let's talk about the cause and effect of the matter; how did Deng Wendi find you, and what's the deal with the photos?"

Liu Yifei composed herself and started from that strange phone call from Deng Wendi.

A meticulously planned conspiracy was dissected in the biting spring breeze of Long Island, New York, and Lu Kuan quickly locked onto many behind-the-scenes suspects.

Liu Yifei knew his vengeful personality and said with some worry: "Deng Wendi and News Corp... their influence is quite large, you should be careful."

"Hmm, don't worry."

"Also, your Twitter..."

Little Liu stopped in her tracks, tilted her head, and glared at him; I haven't even asked you for an explanation yet!

"Was it you who made Stephanie, the author of *Twilight*, stop cooperating with Twitter?"

"What? There's such a thing?" Boss Lu looked astonished: "That day was just to scare you on purpose; how could I do something that violates business ethics?"

"Wait a moment, I'll check who did it and fire them tomorrow!"

Little Liu was also a small boss now, and she punctured his clumsy disguise in one word: "California law requires three days' written notice for dismissing employees; can you be a bit more serious when you're faking it?"

Boss Lu said solemnly: "Fine, I'll be more serious."

"I suggest that Twitter and Weibo merge."

"What do you mean?"

The young director guided her step by step, opening a new door for the young girl.

"The U.S. government has always been vigilant about infiltration in the ideological field."

"Just like this Mytube sale; if the roles of the buyer and seller were reversed, it would definitely be hindered by the Federal Trade Commission." "In recent years, the geopolitical relationship between the two sides has been stable, but the so-called 'China Threat Theory' keeps emerging; it's better for us not to be too conspicuous."

Liu Yifei opened her phoenix eyes wide and looked at him, not knowing how they had suddenly jumped to this topic.

"Aren't so many magazines and media saying you are the representative of the American Dream and an excellent international citizen? How could they hinder you?"

"That's for now; if I participate in the Olympics, plus the sensational release of the massacre film, you'll see my international reputation change."

"Once the relationship between the two countries becomes tense, or if Weibo grows too large, it might arouse the suspicion of the authorities."

Little Liu had not yet formed a cognition of such far-sightedness: "What would they do? Are legal enterprises not protected by law?"

Boss Lu shook his head with a smile: "Whether it's economic interest considerations, potential so-called data security threats, or even the U.S. authorities personally stepping in to smear and guide public opinion, all are possible."

Just like the bill passed in the later year of 2024 to ban a certain video app, requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations, otherwise it would face the risk of a total ban.

Not to mention the distant future, just after Uncle Ao, whom little Liu knew, took office the year after next, the relationship had already begun to gradually decline.

Weibo was not a short-term product; Lu Kuan wanted to grasp it and utilize it well as much as possible.

Liu Yifei also knew he wasn't after her Twitter; if they really fought it out, maybe in less than half a year, Twitter would be crushed to death on the beach by Weibo.

"Then what should we do?"

"I will ask Huang Anna to design a multi-layered offshore company structure, plus use trust and nominee mechanisms to keep the company's control concentrated in my hands."

"However, I need a nominee to nominally serve as the helmsman of the company."

Regarding the Weibo matter, if he didn't want to give the U.S. authorities a solid excuse after the geopolitical conditions worsened, the only way was to cut ties to the maximum extent.

Looking at the candidates around him, perhaps Liu Xiaoli was more suitable.

Especially after this incident, some things had truly been proven.

The two had unknowingly walked back to the front of the villa courtyard; the white snow had not yet completely melted, scattered mottledly on the grass and paths, like a natural ink painting.

Little Liu tilted her head in confusion and asked him: "Who?"

Boss Lu raised his chin and signaled toward the former "Five-One Project" award-winning female dancer who was busy in the kitchen.

"My mom?"

"Yes, let Liu Ayi become a naturalized citizen."

"Why?"

Boss Lu very gentlemanly wiped the rattan chair in the courtyard clean for her, and then gave his reasons.

"Green card holders and U.S. citizens have different restrictions on industry access, entry and exit, detention, and financial credit convenience."

"Plus, Liu Ayi has been divorced from your father for many years, so there's no worry about her being associated with domestic political figures; she is the most suitable candidate."

Little Liu looked him up and down several times and couldn't help but tease: "A person like you would also easily trust others?"

"For such an important enterprise, aren't you afraid that your Liu Ayi will take it for herself when the time comes?"

"She... if she likes it, she can take it?" Boss Lu said as if it were a matter of course: "You can't run away, can you? The mother's debt is paid by the daughter?"

"Tch!"

Liu Yifei looked disdainful, but her heart felt as comforted as if she had eaten honey; she liked this sense of trust.

The young girl couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth and then abruptly asked about the previous repeated topic.

"Hey, where did you get the confidence to know that I would definitely defend you? Do you know how many benefits Deng Wendi promised?"

"Including Twitter, it won't be merged away by your few words right now!"

She stared at the young man with a pair of eyes that could drown a person; the ice and snow in the courtyard reflected the faint sunlight onto her face, making her look even more bright, beautiful, and shyly charming.

Boss Lu said as if it were a matter of course: "Didn't you say it yourself? That you are titanium white?"

"Since it doesn't blend into any color, it presumably doesn't blend into black either, right?"

Little Liu's stance and "forcing the palace," the so-called "I am this color," was truly recognized at this moment.

From Fangfei Garden to Manhattan, in his past and present lives, Lu Kuan had indeed never seen a second color like this.

The sunlight gently spilled onto them, outlining their long shadows on the ground, as if they were tightly intertwined for a moment.

"Fine, I'll count that as your words." Little Liu stood up with a proud and spoiled look.

"Hmph, I originally wanted to kick you out, but I'll let you stay for a meal; after all, it's New Year's Eve."

After saying that, she walked toward the kitchen with a joyful face; Liu Xiaoli had bought a lot of ingredients back from the Asian supermarket, and the young girl suddenly had some interest in cooking.

In the villa, Liu Xiaoli and her daughter received many calls from various parties, informing the concerned relatives and friends about the current situation.

Only then did they start preparing ingredients to spend this unique Spring Festival.

The old mother didn't know what the two had said when they went out just now, and she couldn't help but be curious.

"Xixi, what did you chat about with Xiao Lu just now?"

"Nothing much, I just scolded him a few times."

"No, just now in front of the camera, he said..."

Little Liu was washing the celery in her hands, her face calm: "Just crisis PR, nothing big."

Liu Xiaoli’s heart instantly turned cold; having watched her daughter’s heartbroken little appearance a while ago, the old mother naturally hoped her daughter could get what she wished for.

"Really? He said it in front of the world’s media, that he is currently pursuing you?"

In all fairness, Liu Xiaoli really did look at Boss Lu like a mother-in-law looking at a son-in-law.

The richest man in the mainland, handsome in appearance, appropriate in age; come to think of it, she actually knew his background quite well.

When she first met him in 2001, this industry giant was merely a 19-year-old youth, though he seemed very mature in his conduct and dealings.

As for his private life...

If the two of them really did make a good match, she believed her daughter could handle this hurdle, right? Otherwise, why would she be huffing and puffing away practicing combat and boxing every day?

Liu Yifei didn't really want to talk about this topic, so she raised her eyebrows and smiled: "Just because he pursues me, I have to agree? I’ve already been 'worthless' once, haven't I learned my lesson yet?"

"Go on! How are you talking? Who dares to say you aren't worth anything!" Liu Xiaoli said in feigned anger, patting her on the forearm.

However, seeing her self-deprecating tone, her emotions should be considered stable.

Forget it, she would inquire slowly; when it came to young people's affairs, no matter how much she wanted to manage them, she would inevitably feel powerless.

The mother and daughter were busy in the kitchen, and every time they looked up, they could see the young man in the courtyard, whose phone in his hand had not stopped ringing.

"Mm, continue to follow them closely. Besides that Japanese restaurant and the Dafu Tea House, see if there are any other meeting spots."

"Besides Lu Tianmin and his son, I believe there may be other people involved."

Boss Lu ground a cigarette butt under his heel, gradually beginning to close the net on Taro and the others.

As for Deng Wendi, who harmed Liu Yifei, she certainly had to be dealt with to the end, but first, he had to scheme to cut her off from Murdoch.

"Alright, I also wish you a happy Spring Festival. Let's get together when we return to the country."

"Okay, let's leave it at that for now."

Recently, various incidents had occurred frequently, and the work piled up on his hands was increasing.

The annual meeting of Wenjie Holdings, the commendations, and the development plans for the coming year;

All the student short films submitted to the Pan-Asia Film Academy to date also needed him, the dean, to review them in a second round; he had to organize interviews and assessments before September;

And there was the important task of his trip to North America: casting for the foreign roles in the Holocaust film.

As well as meeting with the "Big Short" Paulson.

A horn sounded outside the courtyard; A-Fei had driven back with a pile of daily necessities and groceries and was moving them into the yard.

Boss Lu turned his head; in front of the kitchen window, Liu Yifei was skillfully preparing vegetables.

Her hair was casually pinned up, with a few strands still falling around her pretty cheeks; she stood gracefully before the cutting board, her eyes, clear as autumn water, focused on the fresh, green vegetables in her hands, and she seemed to be in a very good mood.

He rolled a snowball from the ground and exploded it with perfect precision against the glass in front of the little kitchen maid, giving her a fright.

Liu Yifei looked at him indifferently for two seconds, then held up the kitchen knife in her hand...

With nothing else to do, Boss Lu took off his coat and walked into the kitchen, preparing to lend a hand and help out.

"Little Lu, you go out; rest for a while, we'll be eating soon."

"It's fine, I can still help out."

Liu Yifei didn't stand on ceremony with him: "You go peel a few cloves of garlic, then smash and mince them."

"There’s no garlic mortar here, it’s all manual labor."

Liu Xiaoli laughed: "Oh my, Xixi, aren't you making things difficult for him! How could Little Lu do this kind of work!"

"If he doesn't do it, who will? Just eat for free?" The young girl was not forgiving with her words.

One must bow their head when under someone else's roof; Boss Lu took the insult in stride: "Smashing garlic is simple. Back in the day, I even edited film reels by touch; my eye for detail and hand speed aren't bad."

The old mother watched this pair of young people bickering and interacting, then went out under the pretext of helping A-Fei organize the daily necessities, leaving them space to be together.

The older generation of people's artists really had a good sense of things.

Liu Yifei didn't stop the work in her hands, looking at him suspiciously: "Can you even do it? The minced garlic is going to be made into a garlic sauce to pour over the steamed eggplant later, it'll be out of the pot soon."

"Pah, it's very simple."

In his past life, Boss Lu had been a student studying abroad; he could DIY a garlic-smashing tool with whatever was available in the kitchen.

He found a sealed bag in the refrigerator, put all the garlic cloves inside, walked to the cutting board next to Liu Yifei, and rolled back and forth with a rolling pin.

The sealed bag prevented the garlic cloves from splattering, while the rolling pin provided a large surface area and pressure, making it easy to mash the garlic into a paste.

"There, not bad, right?"

Liu Yifei was just about to nitpick and scold him a few times when the phone in her pocket suddenly rang.

Her ten fingers were still giving the chicken breast a marinade massage, covered in soy sauce and chili, so she had no choice but to ask the young director who had wandered into the kitchen for help: "Help me take the phone out of my pants pocket."

Boss Lu declared his disclaimer in advance: "I'll help you take it, but I can't help touching your thigh; you can't take revenge on me later, okay?"

"Can't you be more careful with your claws?" Liu Yifei was frantic; was this dog-thing trying to take advantage of her, as if to say 'there is no silver buried here'?

The young director carefully took out the phone; the Nokia N93’s uniquely styled flip cover opened, and a low, masculine voice came through.

"Yifei, I saw the news about you on TV. I'm very sorry you encountered these things. Are you doing okay now?"

Hmm?

Boss Lu tilted his head and looked at the young girl suspiciously, activating his film master skills to carefully observe her micro-expressions.

"Thank you, I'm fine."

Liu Yifei continued her work without distraction: "Do you... have something to say?"

"Oh, it's like this. Our North American Chinese Students and Scholars Association is having a party and dinner in Los Angeles next week. Do you have time to grace us with your presence?"

"I know you don't like these occasions, and you've refused every time I've invited you, but we are all fellow countrymen; it's just a simple dinner and chat, you see..."

"Oh, by the way, my daddy has some media friends in North America. I want to see if there's anything you need help with; I'd be very willing to serve."

Liu Yifei quietly glanced at the man beside her, who was observing her with a bright, open, and upright expression.

Their eyes met, and it was Liu Yifei who fluttered her long eyelashes and looked away first.

"Washing Machine" was still very calm; he wanted to see who exactly was in Chicago and North America.

"Thank you, no need. I've been busy preparing for a new film recently, and the local Chinese community in Chicago has also extended many invitations."

"I think I might attend some local events nearby. In any case, thank you for your kindness. Happy New Year."

Liu Yifei refused straightforwardly and with good reason, exchanged a few pleasantries, and hung up the phone.

Boss Lu openly took the phone to his eyes and saw the caller's name clearly.

Ha! "Washing Machine" could be considered someone who didn't kill nameless people under his blade.

This damn guy was his own alumnus from his past life!

Cai Jiazan, born in 1986, son of the Hong Kong toy tycoon Cai Zhiming, who later graduated from the University of Southern California with a major in International Relations in 2007.

His family wealth went without saying, and his social status was also prominent; he had served as a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and a Justice of the Peace in Hong Kong in 2023.

If one really had to find a template, he could be considered a low-spec version of Huo Qigang, mainly because the gap in family background was quite large.

Liu Yifei elbowed him with a look of dissatisfaction, a trace of anger rising on her pretty face: "What are you doing?"

Boss Lu looked as if it were a matter of course: "Looking at your phone? What's wrong?"

He nonchalantly closed the cover, stuffed it back into the girl's pocket, took out the minced garlic and put it into a bowl, adding salt, sugar, light soy sauce, a little vinegar, and hot oil.

With a "sizzle," the fragrance exploded, and the garlic sauce blended with the soft, glutinous texture of the eggplant.

By the stove, Boss Lu, who had only drunk a few glasses of tequila all day, had his appetite whetted.

"That's not it!"

Liu Yifei was stunned by his smooth and fluid set of small moves; why did it look like she was the one who shouldn't be asking this question?

"What right do you have to look at my phone?!"

"Washing Machine" explained with a straight face: "Little Liu, didn't you say yourself on the show today that I've been your acting teacher since you were 14?"

"A teacher has to take on the responsibilities of a teacher; it should be normal to care about you, right?"

"From now on, you can call me Teacher Lu. The Pan-Asia Film Academy is about to start, so I'm getting used to the title in advance."

Having said that, he turned around and carried the two plates of food to the dining room.

Liu Yifei bared her teeth and clawed at the air behind his back: "Washing Machine! Washing Machine! Shameless Washing Machine!"

(End of chapter)